BASF and RiKarbon partner to upcycle personal care emollients from bio-waste

22 Sep 2022 --- BASF is collaborating with RiKarbon to leverage its technology for converting bio-waste into “unique emollient chemical structures” for personal care formulations.

RiKarbon’s technology manufactures emollients with a clear look and odorless scent. It also provides a soft and silky sensory property to personal care formulations, the company underscores.

BASF plans to bring RiKarbon’s technology in-house and will launch the solutions in 2024. 

Scaling in 2024
RiKarbon’s R&D shows that bio-waste can be converted into emollient chemical structures while accelerating the technology from laboratory scale to the pilot stage. 

“We continue to demonstrate our investment in open innovation and expand our innovative offerings to our customers,” says Dr. Robert Parker, director of new business development and digital officer, Care Chemicals at BASF. 

“RiKarbon’s results from laboratory trials are very encouraging and show the potential of innovation for the personal care market.”

The strategic move furthers BASF’s solutions for the sustainable life of its care chemicals division. RiKarbon’s technology manufactures emollients with a clear look and odorless scent. 

Planet-friendly solution
RiKarbon’s technologies facilitate commercial production of renewable chemicals and ingredients, for instance, base oils and emollients for renewable plastics, healthcare, and specialty applications. The base oils feature unused carbon feedstocks and are 100% bio-based. 

Such solutions can be used to make cosmetics that meet the growing market demand and support manufacturers in meeting regulatory requirements that are deemed planet-friendly.

“The natural and organic cosmetics market is booming. Natural personal care and cosmetics are no longer a niche segment but are becoming the standard. Consumers have made the switch and expect brands to follow,” Cyril Lemoine, new technical business development manager at Cargill Beauty, previously told PersonalCareInsights.

“We look forward to the collaboration in the coming months and years,” shares Prof. Basudeb Saha, president and CEO at RiKarbon.

BASF innovations in the spotlight
This week, BASF scientists and its research partners shared significant discoveries that involve the identification of a decreasing skin-native bacteria due to age and the development of a cosmetic ingredient filling this gap with live microorganisms. Also, an applied neuroskin-on-chip method, designed by Netri, creates a novel 3D innervated skin model for testing.

With the certification of BASF’s production site in Cassina Rizzardi, Italy, BASF became the “first” chemical company to offer certified environmentally sustainable coconut oil-based personal care ingredients in line with its Care 360° program for environmental sustainability

The company also recently introduced its biopolymer Verdessence RiceTouch to the global market, a solution for reducing skin greasiness while remaining natural and organic. The plant-based sensory powder has tiny particles that give the skin a smooth look for matte-style cosmetics.  

Edited by Venya Patel 

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